How far is Richmond, VA from Gainesville, VA?

The driving distance from Richmond, VA to Gainesville, VA is about 102.6 miles (165.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
102.61 mi
02h 08m
Flight
86.22 mi
138.75 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Richmond.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.22 mi
Kilometers
138.75 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
102.61 mi
Kilometers
165.14 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gainesville
Mon, May 18, 11:47 AM EDT
Return by in Richmond
Mon, May 18, 1:56 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Richmond
2026-05-18T09:39
Arrive Gainesville
Mon, May 18, 11:47 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:12 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Richmond
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Fredericksburg
VA

Independent city in Virginia, United States

From Richmond
51.3 mi
01h 04m
To Gainesville
51.3 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
95°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
95°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Gainesville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Gainesville.

  1. 1

    Start on Marcus-David Peters Circle

    525 ft · 15 sec · Marcus-David Peters Circle

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto Monument Avenue

    684 ft · 26 sec · Monument Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Meadow Street

    1157 ft · 30 sec · North Meadow Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Hermitage Road

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Hermitage Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Robin Hood Road

    908 ft · 32 sec · Robin Hood Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

    962 ft · 30 sec · North Arthur Ashe Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn left onto I 95 North, I 64 West

    988 ft · 24 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    1797 ft · 28 sec · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

    52.8 mi · 58 min · Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    18.6 mi · 21 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward VA 234 North: Manassas

    1717 ft · 42 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Dumfries Road

    14.2 mi · 21 min · Dumfries Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Prince William Parkway

    7.8 mi · 11 min · Prince William Parkway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 66 West: Front Royal

    1531 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on I 66 West: Front Royal

    1.4 km · 2 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 51 sec

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

    1.2 km · 1 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Gainesville, Warrenton

    953 ft · 23 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Lee Highway

    3143 ft · 53 sec · Lee Highway

  22. 22

    Turn right onto McGraws Corner Drive

    118 m · 19 sec · McGraws Corner Drive

  23. 23

    Continue on McGraws Corner Drive

    139 m · 23 sec · McGraws Corner Drive

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Lee Highway

    1693 ft · 40 sec · Lee Highway

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lee Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Gainesville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
74.3 mi · 72%
Dumfries Road
14.2 mi · 14%
Prince William Parkway
7.76 mi · 8%
I 66 West
1.91 mi · 2%
Hermitage Road
1.07 mi · 1%
Lee Highway
0.92 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike

52.8 mi · 00h 58m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
86.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fredericksburg
01h 04m from Richmond
Leave By
2:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Richmond and Sunny near Gainesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Gainesville?

The road trip is about 102.6 miles (165.1 km) and usually takes 02h 08m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fredericksburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.3 miles from Richmond and 51.3 miles from Gainesville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.34 one way or $28.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Richmond and Sunny near Gainesville.

Stop Ideas Near Fredericksburg

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Fredericksburg, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fredericksburg.

RAIL

Fredericksburg

1 mi away
200 Lafayette Blvd.
RAIL

Quantico

28 mi away
550 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Woodbridge station

44 mi away
1040 Express Way
RAIL

Lorton station

49 mi away
8006 Lorton Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 86.22 mi (138.75 km).

Richmond

#1 Richmond

The capital of Virginia.

Population232,226
Coordinates37.5537600, -77.4602600
Altitude64
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Gainesville

Gainesville is a place in Virginia, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.7956700, -77.6138800
Altitude108
CountryUnited States
Start: Richmond (-77.46026, 37.55376)
End: Gainesville (-77.61388, 38.79567)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 165 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.62 gal
13.71 L · about $14.34
Round trip
$28.68
7.24 gal · 27.42 L
Estimated CO2
32.2 kg one way
Round trip: 64.3 kg / 142 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.34 $28.68
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.03 $32.07
Premium $4.78 $17.30 $34.59
Diesel $5.62 $20.36 $40.72

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Virginia · May 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Richmond and Gainesville. The current time is 09:39:15.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.